The Same God?

I sat on this post for a couple of weeks now. The problem is that I try to be careful about giving an opinion that could cause someone else difficulty in their faith. Questioning faith or certain aspects of one's faith is normal and questioning with an intent to seek truth rather than questioning with a mind that is already made up can lead one to a better appreciation of the foundations of one's faith.

Neither this post nor my particular opinion here represent some mind-blowing, world-altering position. It's just that I have difficulty with the belief that many seem to have about "the One God" so I do think it's important.

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So the Vatican sends an envoy to Malaysia, and he gets into trouble with the government for "interference" with the "internal affairs of the country."

The problem? The use of the word "Allah" by non-Muslims. I saw this article about the controversy stirred up by the envoy, Archbishop Joseph Marino. At least for me, this highlights a larger problem. Oh, here's what started it:

He (Archbishop Marino) described arguments put forward by the Catholic Church in an ongoing court battle for the right to translate "God" as "Allah" in Malay-language Bibles and other literature as "logical and acceptable". 

I need to state that while I usually cite Church teachings on this blog, what I suggest today is my opinion.

I agree with the Muslim groups here. While we share a common heritage of faith with Abraham, I am increasingly concerned with the attempts to say that Muslims and Christians worship the same God.

One need only perform elementary research on the Muslim understanding of "Allah" to know that this is not the God that Christians worship. At the very least, we certainly have completely different understandings of God.

It's not hateful. I just think we have to be honest here. A rejection of the Trinity, a rejection of the Incarnation (basically saying Jesus is a liar), a rejection that God interacts with us, does not sound like the same God to me. And that's really just the tip of it.

I just think this can be confusing to many, especially to those with little understanding of the Christian Faith. Oh, and I don't believe this comparison is only true with the Muslim faith either.

So I usually cringe when someone says "we worship the same God" rather than saying "we share the roots of faith via Abraham." Semantics? Or a dangerous difference that can lead someone to think that Jesus is not THE WAY?

That's all. At least for now.

Looking for love in all the wrong places

So on September 11, I asked, "Did the world learn from the terrorists attacks on September 11, 2001?" I more than insinuated that the answer is, "No!"

I think the the events that have unfolded since and actually are continuing to unfold further make the point of my post. Oh, didn't you hear?

• Islamist protesters scale U.S. embassy walls in Egypt
• West shocked by US envoy death, Muslims condemn film
• Protesters storm US Embassy in Yemen in new attack
• Iran Protests Outside Swiss Embassy Show Anti-U.S. Reactions To 'Innocence Of Muslims'
• Egyptian protesters, police continue to clash near U.S. Embassy 
• US embassies boost security in Pakistan, other Asian countries after deadly unrest

.And yet....blinders on eyes and fingers in ears, we march on.

• September 11, 2012—and Obama Apologizes
• Cardinal Dolan Says Events In Libya, Egypt Show Urgent Need For Respect For All Religions
• Vatican, Israeli rabbi condemn anti-Muslim film

Now, I admit that I don't really think that President Obama, Cardinal Dolan, or the Vatican really think that the Muslim terrorists who are behind all of this violence are justified in all of this. Also, headlines can always be manipulated to stir the reader to a conclusion that he/she may not have come to without such "promptings".

However, the truth is that along with "condemnations" for the terrorists, there were "condemnations" for a stupid movie. A movie! Can't they see that whether they intend to do so or not, they acknowledge that the terrorists have some sort of right to be mad enough to act in such ways. Ridiculous! 

As I asked/stated on my facebook:

If "radical" Catholics had killed US citizens and diplomats over Dan Brown's movies, would the response of many be to apologize for the movie being made? - Before lecturing me, I am prolife (probably more than most if not all reading this) all around, so am not suggesting at all that this would be acceptable behavior-just thinking "this is crazy this is crazy this is crazy"

I try to embrace the "Love your enemies" command by Jesus, and admit that it is often a struggle to do so. But trying to rationalize violence or by giving any sort of credibility to it is not about love, it is blind stupidity.

Look, what I am saying is that if you believe that Islam is a "religion of peace", then stop acting so scared that if you don't put a disclaimer on everything you do, then you in effect create more terrorists. Because seriously, I suspect that Muslims who embrace Islam as a religion of peace must actually be offended by such insecurities.

I suspect such because one of the better responses I read was from the Islamic Circle of North America. While the response did mention the movie, there was absolutely no attempt to condone violence, and also there was absolutely no attempt to condemn the movie or those who made it. In fact, the movie and those associated with it were somewhat "blown off" by the group. I commend them for that. As a Catholic, I also "blow off" Dan Brown.

I think it's good to dialogue, and we all need to do that to better understand each other. But equalizing the making of a movie with motivations for terrorism does not promote "love", it promotes more violence. It's looking for love in all the wrong places. Perhaps our government and Church leaders should check to see what organizations like ICNA think before they speak themselves.

Did the world learn from the terrorists attacks on September 11, 2001

The terrorists attacks on September 11, 2001 changed the world forever. But I have to wonder if the world really learned what is screaming to be learned and understood. That is that no matter what you think, no matter how politically correct you are, no matter how much you love your neighbor, there are those who are actively seeking to end your life and the lives of your family simply because you do not submit to Islam.

It is NOT what it is NOT

I do not hate Muslims. I do not hate anyone, and I even do my best not to dislike anyone, trying to empathize with other people and their particular circumstances in life. However, I have noticed that when anyone takes a stand for something these days, other people misinterpret that stand. Some misinterpret it honestly while others misinterpret it intentionally, purposefully distorting others' statements or actions in order to manipulate other people and to "recruit" them to a cause or idea which they themselves espouse.

Notice that in the opening paragraph, I did not state that all Muslims are seeking to end your life and the lives of your family simply because you do not submit to Islam. I guarantee though, that some people read that line and misinterpreted that to be anti-Muslim.

Why?

If you are one of those, then I ask you to ask yourself, "Why?" If I had said there are those that seek to steal from you simply because of the neighborhood you live in, would that suggest to you that I am against anyone who does not live in your neighborhood, or that all others who do not live in your neighborhood seek to steal from you? Of course not!

What really made me think about all of this is that last night I posted this picture on facebook:

A friend of mine and good man took exception, stating among many other things:

I guess it just doesn't come across as very loving/respectful of the "religion" of Islam et al.

I began defending my post of the picture and of the statement. Then I realized that there really is nothing to defend about this. I love my friend, and really I am sorry that he misinterpreted what I meant, but I just can't be responsible for everyone's misinterpretations. For me, this is a positive statement of my conviction to Christianity which just happens to be contrary to what is deemed acceptable to some, and specifically warranting death by many (again, did not say all) who embrace Islam.

These truths are in the evidence

All one has to do is look at the evidence around the world, the latest in Nigeria, to understand that I have said nothing that is untruthful here. In fact, when I look at said evidence, I feel somewhat convicted for not doing more to expose the plight of Christians, namely those being brutalized and massacred for their refusal to "submit to Islam".

Today, Michelle Malkin writes

Remembrance is worthless without resolve. Resolve is useless without action.

So, did we really learn? Or as with so many other issues these days, are we walking with blinders on our eyes and fingers in our ears? Those who wish to practice Islam are free to do so without fear of me, but that does not mean that I will not keep my eyes and ears open and attentive.